Using Aids To Train Your Dog

There are many tools available on the market, some of which you might want to use whilst some of which many professional dog trainers do not agree with. But what are you likely to want to invest in to make your dog training run smoothly?

Treats
First of all, you are almost certainly going to be working with treats. Depending on who you speak to, you will get a whole range of different ideas. From purpose bought treats to strips of meat and even dried liver. There are many different ideas out and about. But, what I suggest that you consider is that especially at first you could be giving your dog a lot of treats. If you are giving them something that they are not used to eating that has a high calorie content you could be giving them an awful lot to eat! Stick the treats into a bag that you carry in a certain pocket, or attached to your belt, or better still in a waist belt. You want to be able to instantly retrieve a treat the moment it is needed so that the dog can associate good behaviour and treat.

A last word on treats - when buying treats pick dog treats over human treats. Chocolate is not good for dogs - so avoid human sweets, no matter how much your dog seems to want them!

Collars
Collars are how you apply your control to your dog, it is where you attach a lead of some sort and where the force is applied. A simple collar is all that is recommended by a lot of dog trainers and many do not agree with the choke type collar. If the basic collar is not working with your dog, then a halter that fits around your pet's head, similar to a muzzle but without being restrictive, can be used for training sessions. When pulled, this forces your dog's head around slightly and emphasises the commands.

Leads
Where would we be without the lead! A short lead for training exercises and a long lead for more distance work. Extendable leads are very much available, but not such a good idea for training. You will want a good quality lead that is comfortable for you to pull on when instructing your dog and turning him or her. A narrow handle might dig into your hands and a metal chain can be a distraction to your pet with the noise that it makes.

Toys
It is useful to have a favourite toy, especially one that can make a noise. Then carry the toy when you are out and you can show it to your dog and encourage them back or distract them from whatever is causing them to go astray! If you choose carefully, you might even be able to lay your hands on a toy into which you can insert some treats to help reinforce its popularity with your four legged companion, before you head out of doors.

View the original article here

Dog Kennels - Sizes and Necessities to Make Your Dog Comfortable

Buy Petsafe wireless dog fence

Sometimes the best bed you can give your dog is a dog kennel. This personal space allows your dog to get away from everyone and keeps them contained when you are not home or at night when everyone is a sleep. You can feel good that your dog is comfortable and is not causing trouble or messing up your home when you can't be there to police his or her actions. While it might sound a little cruel to some people, kenneling your dog when you aren't around might be a good thing and a wonderful way to train your dog on how he is expected to behave.

Dog kennels come in a variety of sizes so that when you do have to lock him up he can be extremely comfortable. While you don't want to get the largest crate on the market for a small dog like a Chihuahua, you do want to make sure your medium or large dog has plenty of room to move about when he is in the crate. Your dog needs to have room to stand up and turn around, so they can get more comfortable, and still have plenty of room for a food and water dish. You might not want to provide food during the night but your dog really does need to have access to water at all times.

When you put your dog in a dog kennel you need to make sure it has adequate bedding. If your dog is an older dog you might consider having a kennel large enough to accommodate a large pillow or fluffy blanket to allow extra padding between the dog and the bottom of the cage. If your dog is a small dog you should be able to fit a small pet bed in there to allow the dog some comfort.

You will also want to make sure you provide your dog with something to chew on. Squeaky toys, stuffed animals, and chew bones are great dog kennel toys. If the dog is going to be in there an extended period of time, say while you're away at work, then he needs something to do. If he doesn't have something readily available to chew on he will just destroy his bedding, creating a mess for you to clean up and more expense by having to replace his bed every time he gets bored. You can't withhold a bed as that would be cruel and the dog wouldn't understand.

If you have been thinking about getting a dog kennel for your dog, I think that's a great idea. It's a type of indestructable dog bed that you can make more or less cushy for your dog, depending on how big of a chewer he ends up being. The big thing is that you'll keep him from hurting himself (choking or chewing on toxic objects) as well as protect your home while you are unable to supervise him directly.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Serena_N_Ericson

View the original article here